StephC

I had a problem with one of the receptionists at my dr's office (like 10 years ago) she was so rude and everytime I called for an appt she acted like I was putting her out because I had called. Finally one day I had enough so when I went in to see the dr I told him she was the rudest person I had ever met and if anyone came in with high bp it was probably from dealing with her..blah blah blah... from that day forward she was the sweetest one in the office - to me anyway. Tell your doctor.

Hey Mia - we're neighbors! I live near Shanksville - Flight 93. So we're only about 30 minutes apart. I'm just off of rt 30. I had my surgery in Windber (just outside of Johnstown) with Dr. Marley. He's great. I would HIGHLY recommend him.

Hi Mia - I just sent you a pm - yes I have UPMC too - they're great! If you have any questions just pm me.

Hello girls! So what was up yesterday? I tried on and off all day to get on LBT and couldn't get on. Was the whole site down? I finally got the "stuck" feeling yesterday - wow scarey. I was eating an egg for bk and took too big of a bite of the white, I dont' know if I even chewed bc it just kinda slides down. Thought I was having a heart attack! I just put my plate away - and took a drink of hot coffee and waited. After about 10 minutes it went away and I was able to finish eating. I took little tiny bites and chewed well - lesson learned! I didnt' exercise the past 2 days - but I'm getting my butt on the treadmill today. Transformer I got my treadmill about 3 years ago at Sears. I think we paid $300-$400 for it. I like it because it has everything displayed. distance, calories, fat calories, time... that stuff - if I walk at 3 miles per hour I burn close to 200 cal in a half hour. But I think most of them do have all that on them. I really need to get out and ski some more but since I had the cold I just don't want to go out in the cold. Nat I hope you enjoyed your day (week) in the sun - so jealous! We got dumped on again yesterday too. Crazy weather! On Friday it was 52 and then it snows Sat & Sun. I'm glad things are better with the man - you're right about being apart at the beginning of the relationship its a maker or breaker. And I'm FAR from skinny! I felt so freaking fat the last couple days! It hasn't helped that I ate potato chips and girl scout Cookies yesterday either! My dd said see this is why we don't have potato chips in the house - we eat them until they are gone! I try not to buy that junk but she brought a bag home with her and I can't eat just one. And the COOKIES - one stinking box left and thats it! Theres 150 calories in 2 cookies! Thats absolutely insane! Today I will eat healthy and exercise.

Banannie - ok I'll hold you too it too! Don't be too jealous of 199, its still alot of weight for 5'3", I still have a bmi of 35. But I'm happy about it. Jacqui - 15 lbs is possible. You are very close to onderland now - it won't be long! Kaydoll - you go girl!!! I couldn't run 5 minutes let alone 15 to 30! I'm sure you'll do it. About 10 years ago I had gotten to about 160 and I started running. I loved it, I'd go back behind the house where I ski, its so nice to do on a beautiful morning. Are you doing that on a treadmill? Because if you go outside and run it'll be alot easier. I'm so proud of you! Maurden - cut the crap! LOL couldn't help myself - sorry bad jk. I think thats a do-able goal. I like a glass of wine now and then but its beer I'm missing. I'm not a "drinker" by any means but I like dark beer. Crap food is hard to give up... BUT with a proper fill you can eat alot less of it. We went to a wrestling tourney last night and bought our supper there. Mine was chicken planks and fries - I ate ONE and felt like I couldn't eat another bite - in fact I had to sit there a minute and think is this going down? It did but at least I didn't it 4 of them. ((((SWEETHOT)))) - we've missed you sweetie! It looks like you're doing great! A whole size down is great! Have you had anymore fills? 20 lbs is alot to lose in one month - I'm sure its do-able but thats a high goal - I'd like to lose 20 lbs too but know I'll be more likely to make my 10lbs. Its good to see you on again. We've all wondered if you were ok. We are going to be busy all day again today so I hope I can make good food choices. Have a great day ladies!

thanks ladies - but remember my bmi is still 35 - I'm just short. But it does feel so good to finally hit it. Its been 2 years since I last saw the 190's. Va - I do feel better today but I still have the cold. I'm going to do the treadmill today - yesterday I couldn't get off the couch (after I got home from work) - I swear by zinc. I even broke one in half to get it in yesterday. Hows your fill going? Still at the sweet spot? I just ate half of an english muffin - and I feel full. Well that was round 9 and its now - 11ish - I took a drink of Water and it felt like it was sitting in my chest. WAY different then how I was feeling before. I hope it lasts. I'm off to the treadmill - I taped AI last night, I peeked at who lost - but want to walk while I watch. How about survivor - is it as frustrating for you all as it is me when the one team keeps losing? grrrr - and how about the b - Lisi - geesh I can't stand her! She said the alliance is 5 not 6 when she wrote the other girls name down. I thought how odd that they all would rather have comforts then keep a member of the tribe. I hope things turn around now for the other tribe.

My goal is 10 lbs - as of today March 2nd I am 199. Hold me to it ladies!

Hey - I just updated my ticker and realized I'm a third of the way there.

:scales:I'm in ONEDERLAND! :clap2: Its been a long time since I've been in the 90's and it feels like I hit my first goal. I don't know if its because I'm dehydrated from this stupid cold or that I just needed a couple of low days to get there. I have decided to believe my scale bc when I was in the other day for my fill it was the same as the dr's scale (within a pound). I got on this morning and it said 199, I stepped off and back on about 5 times and it kept saying 198 or 199 -woohoo! To Nikki and all of you who feel like its work - I'm with ya on that one. BUT then I also think we don't have enough of a fill either. I'm not going to wait around like I did this past month. If I feel I'm eating too much or its a struggle I'm going back in asap for another fill. We paid for this band we should get it to work for us - Lord knows none of us would have gotten it if we had the will power in ourselves. I'm going to try to do as my dr and Bmans nurse said about eating the heavier foods - not too wet. I knew not to be drinking shakes and stuff bc they go on thro, but I didn't think about the sauces and casseroles. Thats what they call working with the band. I also know if I drink too soon it washes it all down faster. I also think exercise is the key to faster weight loss. I feel so much better about myself when I exercise everyday. I think I probably would have gained weight this past month if I wasn't walking the treadmill everyday. (except for the week mom was here) I feel better today - I think yesterday was my worse day for having a cold - you know the watery eyes, nose runs when you least expect it to - I went to the drug store and got some triamedic strips that melt in your mouth like the gasx strips. I think they are for kids 6-12 so instead of taking one I took 3. I think they helped. I took the actifed early and I dont' think it digested for hours or it didnt' help. BTW thanks for all the suggestions, I can't take Nyquil, it makes me jittery and keeps me awake - yeah I know stupid but it works the opposite on me. I did take a sleeping pill and got a good nights sleep last night. The night before I was waking up during the night to blow my nose. Nat - sorry to hear the friend has a jealous streak in him. On the one hand it shows he cares and is thinking of you as more then a friend. But on the other hand you dont' want a man that could turn ugly either. Family time is important so I'm glad you were able to spend the time together. I was just thinking about the jealous thing - how would you have felt if the tables were turned and he was in Fla with his ex and baby? Would you have been able to say oh thats nice or would it eat at you inside? I would say it would eat at me. I always tell my kids when they tell me how wrong the bf/gf was that maybe if the table were turned they would have acted the same way. Just a thought. Enjoy the sun you lucky girl! Claudia - sorry to hear of the ex - funerals are always hard. When people ask how you lost weight just tell them I'm eating less and exercising more. Its not a lie. Kay sounds like you and hubby had a nice date. Even tho its been hard for me dealing with the empty nest I have to admit I do enjoy my husband so much more now. Its funny how when the kids are little life revolves around them and now we can actually enjoy each other a little more. But enjoy those moments alone I know they don't come often enough. And yeah we found out I'm a cheap date too. LOL Hope the exam went well. Nikki - 28 lbs in 2 1/2 months is great! I know 40 sounds better but thats like 10 lbs a month! I want to lose between 10-15 a month so what you've done sounds wonderful! I've only lost about 31 lbs since my pre-op diet, and there are times I'm very discouraged but then when 2 more come off its like YES! Like my dr said even 1 lb a week is still 52 lbs in a year. Go for a fill I'll bet you feel better.

Maurden - you probably need a fill because thats how I was feeling. I would time on how long you feel full. I think I waited so long because I knew I wasn't eating the way I should when my family was visiting and blamed it on myself. Now I know I won't wait so long. Can you believe its March first already? I have to go in to work - my only busy day of the month and I'm sick with this cold. I just took actifed so I hope it soon kicks in - I feel like crap.

Hi all - I just got back from my fill. I don't know if I understood him right or not but I had gotten 2cc the first time and it was down to 1.6 when he took it out then he put in 3cc, and Nate said total and he said no, on top of what she had. So I think I should have about 5cc now. He said when I took the swallow it went right thro with what I had. I have only lost one pound so he said don't hesitate, if Monday comes and you don't feel like its working come back and we'll give you more. So thats encouraging. I had stopped at Walmart on my way there and who did I run in to but the lady who had her surgery the same day as me, we had our first fills together too. I told her I was on my way to get another fill and she said she thought she needed one too. Amazing how things work. So I'm on liquids today, mushies tomorrow, Friday I can have whatever I want. I hope this one lasts for a while now. I had to get stuck 2x - first time he couldn't find the ports center. So after moving the needle around he finally pulled it out and had me lay down and he got it right away - I did the needle in the belly thing while I walked across the room to the xray machine. LOL While we were talking he said that he had just been to a conference and the makers of @Lapband had developed a new band that doesn't use saline, it has wires in it and its done with a remote control. Wild hu? But totally cool, we wouldnt' be needing to get stuck every time we needed a fill. Well not us but the future banders. Talk to you tomorrow - hubster will soon be home so I should fix him dinner. I have a feeling he'll say he'll just have the soup I plan on eating. :scared:

Kay - hope the little one gets better fast - is she in kindergarten? Nat - I wonder if Kay doesn't have a point about telling Mr.Hunky but still think if you know him well enough to sleep with him don't you think you should trust him enough to not tell? I just can't imagine him thinking enough about it to bother telling anyone. Guys don't talk about stuff like this, I think he'd spill your performance in bed before he'd spill the surgery. I found myself telling my friends at the wrestling tourny last weekend. I don't think I would have told them if I hadn't found out the one sil had been banded too. I still have kept it secret at work tho - thats the only place its secret - and my bunco girls - but they haven't noticed my weight loss so until they say something I don't think I'll say anything either. I guess my biggest concern is failure. Nate just called and said they want me to come earlier for my fill - 1:15 - yes! I just ate a half of an english muffin so I hope its digested by then. I also found some actifed and they are little pills so I took one of them - it says 4 to 6 hours so now I'm wondering if I should take another at 12:30 so it'll be in me before the fill. LOL I'm a nut case I know. Banannie - just noticed you are viewing and gotta tell you again that I'm so happy you changed your name - postive thinking my love. My neice is named Anna and we call her banannie too. Ok so I may have said all of that a few pages back but it bears repeating.

geesh Boo when did you get the fill? Friday? What were you going thro, throwing up or pain? Please tell. Kaydot - hey doll, how's your fill going? Still happy with it? I remember how you debated over it, I was doing that with this fill that I'm going for today until I finally realized that if I keep snacking I'll gain everything I lost back. BK- are you feeling better? I assume you've adjusted to your fill also. Nat - enjoying the sun? Wish I were with you. Va - please tell me what you took for your cold? I caught my sweet daughters cold - I was 100% sold on airborne until they said I couldn't take it after the surgery so I went and bought zinc - I've taken them the past 2 days bc I felt it coming on but as of last night I've got the full blown cold. I dont' think zinc or C will do any good at this point. I have to admit this is the first cold I've had in a year or more. And it sucks! I was planning on going to get my nails done this morning before my fill and now I don't know if I can - blowing my nose every 2 minutes during a manicure just isn't good. But I'm thinking if I can take something for it I will go. Any suggestions? While you are all thinking on that I think I'll go dig thro my medicine chest to see whats available. I know my dd just got some new stuff but they were HUGE horse pills and I don't think even without the fill I could take one.

Va - I think I forgot to tell you WTG!! Good job sweetie and I'm sure you'll hit your next goal. I'm setting my goal for March at 10lbs. I get weighed tomorrow so I'll tell you my official weight loss for Feb then.

Yippee for me - I go tomorrow for a 2nd fill! I'm so happy - I told him I'm eating like a horse LOL - and then within a couple hours I'm snacking - he said sounds like you need a fill. I was so happy when he called back to say they can get me in tomorrow afternoon! Claudia - wish I'd been in Mexico last week, or FLORIDA (Nat) - lucky duckys. Bman- sorry to hear of the troubles today. Brakes aren't too expensive tho so thats a good thing. Too bad your dad or someone couldn't have fixed them for you. My son does it for me and its like $18. Didn't you just buy the ellipitcal? you should take it back. Bk - I need a tivo. I love watching stuff when I walk the treadmill. I tape shows so I can watch. I'm sure you'll hit your goal, just stop the throwing up! I never throw up - can't even remember when I did last - I get the poops instead. Everyone will be puking and I'll be pooping. I keep looking out at the snow I had wished for and think man I dont' feel like skiing. I know once I get out there I'll love it but I went too long without going.. now I need a push... shove.. kick in the arse! Yes - Joyce shaved her head - geesh I loved them that season. I'm still rooting for them. And I like the coalminer couple. Just not the blondes. Went shopping today for Bunco - when we host we buy the gifts, $3, $5, $7, $10 and $15 - total of $40 so then everyone pays the host $5 and you are reimbursed. I bypassed the candles and bath oils this time and went for Easter decorations - I found the cutest stuff at Ross. I love hosting. Still struggling with dinner tho. I have to admit I feel so much better since I got news of my fill and went shopping. Better then drugs!

I think its helped our marriage. We've been married 27 years so I was pretty secure anyway but I know he wanted me to lose some weight. He has made little comments about just don't lose too much. And whenever I would diet in the past he'd hold my butt in his hands and tell me he could tell I was losing weight - LOL - I'd say wow those 3 lbs must have all been in my butt then. So I knew in his subtle little ways he wanted me to lose some weight but doesn't expect me to be that skinny little bride I had been. He's definitely a keeper, I love him with my whole heart and this was a good time for me to have this done. Our kids are all just about raised and we are spending more quality time together so me losing weight will just enhance our time together. I've only lost about 30 lbs so I'm still far from thin but thin or fat he'd love me anyway.

wow I had to find this on the 3rd page! Wheres everyone? I called for a 2nd fill today - I'm waiting to hear back from my PA - I hope he says I can come in tomorrow! I doubt it but it would be nice. I'm really in need of a fill. I overate so bad yesterday that I knew it has to mean I need a fill. I'm still plodding away on the treadmill - I haven't been able to push my butt out in the cold to ski - maybe today. Now that I bumped this up I hope you all keep it going. Talk to you soon.

good morning ladies! I called today and I'm waiting for a call back on a fill - I'm depressed! I ate like a horse last night - seriously I ate a bag of chips the double serving size, a little debbie cake and half of a candy bar. I had about 1000 calories in my after dinner snack. I'm telling him theres no talking me out of a fill this time. I don't know why I'm doing this. I start out so good, have sensible bk, do my 30 minutes on the treadmill and then lunch, supper snack snack snack - and I wonder why the scale hasn't moved? Ok so truth is I was doing so good there for a while and suddenly the past few days I just can't get it together. I don't think it should be this hard. woe is me. Nat I would tell him if he asks or notices. If you can share your body you should be able to share you band too. Sounded kinda harsh but you know what I'm saying. You sound so good and happy it'll all work out, follow your heart. I hope all of your fills work good - I just can't wait to feel some restriction! Thats what its all about right? So my Bunco is postponed until next Tues or Wed. I still need some suggestion on what to serve. Desserts are easy for me but the meal is what I'm struggling with. Maybe I should watch some Rachel Ray shows. Amazing race - ok so the only ones I can not stand are the beauty queen girls. I hated them the first time they were on and I still can't stand them. They are typical shallow pretty girls. I still love Rob and Amber - I'm also the BIGGEST survivor fan so Robs been my fav for a long time. I can forgive him for his rudeness for some reason. I'm horrible with names but the lady who shaved her head the season she was on - did they win that season? I really like them too. Did any of these all stars win the first time around? This is the best time of year for tv - I've got all my favorite shows to watch - survivor, AR, AI, CSI - lol what a frickin couch potato! All I'd need now is big brother! The funniest thing is I've got the hubbster, Mr Football himself, into all those shows too! He pretends he doesnt like them but then will forget himself and ask Is American Idol on tonight? LOL

I've had several surgeries - 7 including my band and I never woke up with the tube until the band surgery - I was FURIOUS! The first thing I said was why in the hell did you let me wake up with that still in! I felt it was OR incompetency - if I ever have surgery again I plan on telling them ahead of time that I will be pissed if they let me wake up like that again. They can take it out in just a matter of seconds so theres no reason other then they aren't paying attention.

just looked it up - it was Alan Arkin who won the oscar - he plays the grampa in the movie.

Its good to hear all of you - I love ya I love ya I love ya! Bman - I'm hoping you feel better soon. I know you don't want drugs but I know they help, I was there myself once not all that long ago. I don't know if it was menopause or empty nest but the year my son was a senior I cried for months. I went in for my yearly exam and my dr asked how I was (ya know the small talk thing when they walk in the room) I burst out crying and said I don't know whats wrong with me, blah blah blah, he patted my knee and said we'll take care of that. I was on effexor for a few months, went off and got teary again went back on for a few more months and then I was ok again. I'd do it again if I needed to, its horrible feeling depressed everyday. Life can be good. I've said before that I think our moods are a choice and I still believe that BUT only to a point, like today I'm feeling crappy and I know its me choosing to feel crappy - but when I was going through that depression I couldn't get out of it by myself. But you are doing the right things to help you through it, first is talking, whether its just to us or a shrink, 2nd is get moving, exercising is good for the mind as well as the body. The 3rd is drugs but if you don't feel the need then stick to the first 2. Thanks to all of you who have tried to encourage me about the scale issue I'm having. TOM has gone - I'm a very lucky lady, he comes stays 2-3 days and is gone - so I'm not sure if the bloating is gone too or not. I just think that 5 weeks I should have lost more then 7 lbs. Maybe I'll call my dr tomorrow and see what he has to say. Nat - sounds like life is good - you sexy thing! Kaydoll - you like the song... LOL dang I hate when I get a stupid song in my head like that. I have my Bunco gals coming over on Friday - anyone have any suggestions on what to feed them? I was thinking chick salad sandwiches and soup... or not. I'd love a suggestion. Theres 8 of us. BK - omgoodness go rent Little Miss Sunshine! It is hilarious! My 16 y/o daughter and I roared! I think its R rated so its not a kid movie, alot of swearing. But its just such a funny sweet movie. I wonder if the guy from the Office/40 Year Old Virgin is who won the oscar - he was in the movie. We watched it 2x and I'd watch it again. I loved it.

Just another manic monday, wish it were sunday. Its been slow on here lately. Wish Nat would get back so we could live through her again. New relationships are so exciting. I have to go in to work today. Its just a dreary yuky day out and I don't feel like doing anything! Did anyone watch the Oscars last night? I watched most of it but missed the best male supporting actor - just wondering if Eddie Murphy got it. I'm into the Amazing Race so I must have missed it then. I keep weighing myself and its so irritating when the scale doesn't move. I think I'll tell hubby to hide it tonight so I can't weigh myself for a week. It'll be 5 weeks since my first fill on Wed. and I think I've only lost about 7 lbs.! It's really starting to piss me off! I've only missed one week of exercise and dang it I think I'm eating healthy - this shouldn't be so hard.

Hi all - sorry I haven't posted for a long time. I had family in for a week and boy did that ever screw up my eating habits. I was doing so good, and its not really like I did HORRIBLE while they were here but I got into that STUPID grazing mode. I haven't lost anything in the past 2 weeks and I'm seriously thinking about a 2nd fill. I'm going to really try to work with my band this week and see if I lose then if not I'll call. Today I didnt' eat until about 10 and then it seemed like nothing looked good until 3 - I ate a half of a chicken salad sandwich and some cooked cabbage, 1/4 of an apple with Peanut Butter. I'm full at that and it should last until 7. I also wasn't exercising that week either so this past week I've gotten back into my 30 minutes on the treadmill. Still can't seem to push my butt out the door to ski tho. When I talked with my PA about a 2nd fill (a couple weeks ago) he said I need to concentrate on more solid foods and he's more concerned on how long I stay sated then on how much I lose. Of course I'm more concerned on how much I lose! good news is that I had a few compliments yesterday - that makes me feel good and my family could really tell the difference. I'm hoping that I've gained muscle and I'm more toned. Have a happy sunday - ttys!

(((Nat))) sorry the vacation isn't going as well as it should. Sounds like you're having fun shopping tho. Before long you'll be home in the snow and cold and wish you could have another day in the warm sun. We have more snow here today, church was cancelled. UGH! And to top it off I don't feel like skiing! I supose I might go a little later on. We were at wrestling the past 2 days - alot of people I haven't seen in a while, our old wrestling buddies. One of them, Sean, was the chef at the club for awhile and I only see him at wrestling now, anyhoo he was sitting across the gym and I waved at him and he came over and he said when he saw me from across the gym - wow Steph really lost alot of weight. YIPEE! He didn't even know I had the surgery. Then the group that we hang out with went to dinner and they didn't know I'd had it either and the one guys sis had it about 2 years ago. Her sil said to me, I didn't think you even looked heavy enough to have it done. Now remember they only see me a few times a year so I wasn't fat in your face with them everyday. I felt good. Bad news - scale isn't budging - TOM is here so hoping that when thats all done with I'll be down a few. BBK - so glad they didnt' lock you up. I don't want to offend anyone but I work at the private golf club and lawyers are the WORSE! They are cheap and arrogant. I usta think dr's were like that but found MOST of the dr's are very nice and generous. I don't get tips of course but the girls do and boy do the lawyers piss them off! Anyway my point is doesn't suprise me a judge acting like that since he did start as a lawyer. I'm off to laze around the house all day in my jammies. Nothing I have to do or anywhere I have to go.

BBK - hope all went well with the jury stuff and you're not sitting in jail right now. Va - I'm back on track, I did my 30 minutes yesterday and again this morning. I finally got enough snow again to ski but couldn't bring myself to go out in the wind. Maybe tomorrow. Kay - I know exactly what you mean about getting thrown off schedule - I'm the same way when everyone is home. In fact they are home today because of snow - both dh and dd - but I had borrowed some tapes and wanted to watch them this morning so I did get my 30 minutes in. My house is a mess but I did my treadmill. LOL Nat's in the sun... lucky Nat. We got another snow storm, and theres more coming. ugh Bk - good luck on your house sweetie. Do you have another house picked out yet? Moving on up? WTG on the weight loss! Sassy how in the world can you go without weighing yourself? I get on my scale 3x a day! Sometimes I close my eyes and make a wish. LOL We have a busy weekend scheduled too. District wrestling, I'll try to pop in Sunday. Have a great weekend!